It’s a little hard to believe now but there was a time in the summer where Everton were genuinely fearful of losing their top target Sandro Ramirez to La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.

Marca went as far as to claim in June that Sandro had even undergone a medical with Los Colchoneros – only for the club’s transfer ban to eventually scupper the move and allow Everton to swoop in, triggering his £5.1 million buyout clause.

But with Sandro struggling to adapt to life in England and netting just once so far, in the 5-1 Europa League hammering at home to Atalanta, speculation is rife that a return to Spain is likely in January.

It is understood, via The Mail, that Valencia is his most likely destination. But Everton could do worse than to offer Sandro to former suitors Atletico as part of an exchange deal.

After all, Atletico have a player Everton want. According to Don Ballon, there is a very real chance that Kevin Gameiro could be sold in January after falling down the pecking order and with Diego Costa set to make his return at last.

It is understood that Newcastle United are battling Everton for the speedy Frenchman and there is no doubt that he would be the perfect signing for Rafa Benitez’s goal-shy Magpies. Gameiro is remarkably quick and lethal inside the box, providing the sort of top class net-busting Newcastle have missed all season.

Danny Owen

Daniel is a Journalist graduate from Leeds Trinity University and is generally obsessed with everything football related. Daniel watches everything from Augsburg in the Bundesliga to Vitesse in the Eredivisie with as much La Liga as possible thrown in for good measure.